Victoria

Piper Alderman has lured a corporate partner from Lander & Rogers to join its Melbourne office.

Japan-based Optimus has sued Grant Thornton for allegedly giving negligent restructuring advice following its acquisition of dealership group Autopact, which resulted in the company owing $3 million in stamp duty, income tax and other costs.

Former infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan was warned about the alleged involvement of criminals on Big Build work sites, a royal commission into the state's construction sector has heard.

Property developer Villawood has asked a judge to allow it to share documents from a fraud case against its former director with the Australian Federal Police, over alleged actions the judge called “deeply troubling”. 

A company incorporated to manage a development in regional Victoria has lost its bid to withdraw admissions in a case by property developer Villawood alleging a former director engaged in a fraudulent scheme to divert management fees.

New rules announced by the Victorian Labor government will require data centre developers to generate their own renewable energy supply, invest in local jobs and stay out of residential areas. 

Food delivery service HungryPanda wants to lift a stay in a case against competitor Fantuan over the acquisition of delivery platform EASI, after a $24 million judgment was entered in related UK proceedings.

Builder Besix Watpac has sued the government of Victoria, alleging it made false claims that the designs for a $65 million affordable housing development in Heidelberg West were 90-95 per cent complete, when substantial further work was required. 

A judge has granted interim freezing orders against Star Investment Group Australia and its director after finding reasonable grounds to suspect it misled investors while promoting a development scheme in regional Victoria.

The state of Victoria wants to declass a representative proceeding brought on behalf of climate protesters over Victoria Police's use of pepper spray, telling a judge it is prepared to negotiate individually with the 50 group members.